Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XVIII · Ethics and Professional Responsibility · 05

Licensure and practice acts

Each state's dental practice act defines what hygienists may do and under what supervision, and the state board enforces it. Supervision ranges from general (the dentist need not be present) to indirect, direct and personal. Licensure usually requires a CODA-accredited program, the NBDHE, a clinical exam and a jurisprudence exam, with continuing education to renew.

High-yield facts · 7

  1. Each state's dental practice act defines hygiene scope and supervision; the state board of dentistry enforces it.T2
  2. Supervision levels: general (dentist authorizes, need not be present), indirect (dentist in the office), direct (dentist in the office and checks the work), personal (dentist working on the same patient).T2
  3. Many states allow some form of direct access, where hygienists can start treatment without a prior dentist exam.T2
  4. Licensure usually requires an accredited (CODA) education, the NBDHE, a clinical exam and a state jurisprudence exam.S1
  5. Licenses are renewed with continuing education requirements set by each state.T2
  6. The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) prohibits refusing patients because of a disability, including HIV.T2
  7. Healthcare fraud examples: billing for services not done, upcoding, unbundling, waiving copays while billing insurance as if paid.T2

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.